As an adult, I am neither conservative or prudish; that’s a given. I LOVE people! Working with, and teaching, teens and college students for two decades has always kept me “up” with what’s going on in our culture. It still does and I’m guessing it will always be so. Perhaps, my caring and deep love for people, but especially the youth, has given me an even stronger sense of moral and ethical… right and wrong. This is the future of America. As the youth go and do… our country either prospers and flourishes or fails. Sadly, many of the things I see put on the Internet by America’s Youth and now adults, are either morally or ethically… just plain wrong!
I often wonder how many of us would have become better people or have accomplished more with our lives if we had “walked away” from things that were unhealthy during our lives, thus far. There are so many things that are “unhealthy” for us, that I believe we are not even aware of the long term repercussions, until it’s too late to make corrections. The Internet provides the new positive as well as the new unhealthy. Isn’t it “cool” to do so many things today, that once were thought not cool? It appears so.
For some of the best years of my life, I taught young people. Although it appeared that I was an English teacher/professor…what I really taught was about LIFE! My message was not subtle; I am not a subtle person. Life is hard and it requires a steady course to overcome our individual tests and limitations. We are going through the roughest patch in Modern-History with Covid-19. There is so much anger, Depression, nastiness, and wrongful words spoken to others, that it lessens each of us as Human Beings.
As of late, I am so angered and disappointed by what I see posted by so many people on Facebook, Twitter and many other social media sites. What you put on today, you own forever. Forever! This is especially true during this Covid, “stay at home,” shutdown. Now it’s not only the young people, but many adults to who have taken to Social Media to discredit or embarrass another co-worker, neighbor, or friend. Don’t even get me started on all of this Political nonsense; it has gotten more aggressive than ever before.
Not only are there things being said/done that can never be erased, (once it is on the Internet it can be “recalled” for eternity… I need to repeat that ), but there seems to be great delight in “shocking” the viewers/readers. You know, EVERYONE can see those postings, right? Family, employers, teachers…everyone. I see it as a call for help from younger America. It is desperation to be noticed…if only in a negative way. From adults, well it’s just plan ignorant and disgusting. Yup, I said that.
When a person blatantly acts out in words/deeds, whether they are young or older… they are in trouble and need guidance. I know this from experience and personal involvement. Excessive drinking and drugs, posing nearly nude or in suggestive sexual positions, excessive self mutilation (be it piercing or body art ), and words/deeds that hurt others are… never signs of a healthy, maturing person. When it is posted for the world to see, you open yourself up to all kinds of future liability, criticism, and heartache. Sadly, you are abusing yourself. I can’t view it any other way.
I get that all young people test and act out. However, excessive testing and acting out and then “posting” it on line for the world to see… has dangerous and long lasting repercussions. Even if your site is marked “private” one of your less scrupulous contacts has theirs wide-open for the world to see and read. Your “privacy” is their fodder. Duh!
If you are someone with a healthy self-image, you don’t need approval or validation from anyone else as to how “cool” you are. You give yourself honor and integrity by doing good things for yourself and giving generously to others. Over drinking or doing drugs, body parts with excessive art(?), eating disorders (too much or too little food; it doesn’t matter), or beating up on others physically or verbally are just scabs on the wounds that will never heal.
Do something that you can be proud of and then post it on-line. The world is watching. You will be pleased not only today, but five and ten years from now as well. If you are in an unhealthy “space” it stops today. If you “fly high” with Twitter” then make it worthwhile. Most importantly, if you are working, educating/schooling from home, or “posting” things then make them positive and healing.
DURING THIS PANDEMIC IS THE BEST OF TIME TO REINVENT YOURSELF and MAKE THE WORLD, WORKPLACE, AND RELATIONSHIPS… WELL, HEALTHY! I honestly believe that this is the reason the World was “instructed” to see “clearly now!” It’s 20/20… perfect vision for how we live our lives.
If you need help, ask for it! You have that choice. Pretty amazing to be human. However, do it so you can “face” your choices with pride down the road.
Sue Brown
SPIRIT UNBROKEN the BLOG 